Pencilsharpener's Weblog

The Other Part of Achievement and Success

pencilsharpener — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:18:07 +0000

As you have probably found out already, achievement and success are not only dependent on intellect, but also on effort and work ethic, planning and doing. Time management and organization skills which are part of our executive function are also essential in our efforts to achieve. Here is an interesting article that will explain this further:

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3746667

Some of the links within this article are also interesting, particularly the information on self-regulation and mind-theory. Should you wish to pursue or discuss this topic further, please feel free to e-mail or phone me. I would consider the time well spent.

Parlez vous francais?

pencilsharpener — Mon, 26 May 2008 20:41:10 +0000

Have you had the opportunity to check out the BBC languages website?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/

If you like to study foreign languages, this may become a useful tool for you! It is a wonderful site with information for those who want to study a language or brush up on a language you may already know. There are audio clips so turn on your computer sound, as you will have an opportunity to practice your pronunciation. You can find ways to improve your language skills by watching videos, reading magazines and newspapers in another language, or explore other creative links that will strengthen your skills. In this time of globalization, it will be good to be fluent in another language. This site may help you discover that a second or third language may just come in handy afterall. Have fun with this. There are ways you can sign up for beginning classes in numerous languages online.

Me? I am brushing up on my French!

An additional website with many opportunities to study foreign languages used by one of the students who is studying Spanish in his spare time:

http://www.fsi-language-courses.com/

http://www.speak7.com/

Hoagies’

pencilsharpener — Mon, 26 May 2008 02:51:15 +0000

Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page is an excellent website filled with a variety of links for you to explore. You can find games, brainteasers, puzzles, contests, book recommendations, free online classes to practice your skills or learn a new language, and even a few interesting articles to read. There is information on this site for students, parents and even teachers. Hoagies is a veritable smorgasbord of things to do and learn. You might want to check out this site on a rainy summer day.

Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/index.htm

A Suggestion for Testing

pencilsharpener — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:29:33 +0000

A Strategy for Test Taking: DETER

Read through all test directions.

Examine the test.

Decide how much time you should allow to answer each test item.

Answer the easiest questions first

If you finish early, review the exam.

This is a easy process to remember. The main idea is that you ready yourself to take the test, use all your tools, survey what work needs to be done, get a feel for what is being asked of you. Check your mindset, get in the testing mode frame of mind. This is rather like a warm-up in athletics. You are readying yourself to do a great job on the test.

You may discover a different format which is better suited to you.

Directions—Examine—Time—Easiest—Review

Motivation: Tips and Strategies

pencilsharpener — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:45:53 +0000

Use strategies to stay motivated.

Create a study plan and work your plan.
Monitor yourself and stay on track.
Practice positive self-talk.
Reward yourself from time to time.
Plan something special for after finals.
Remind yourself of previous successes.
Visualize yourself as confident and doing well on your exam.
Get a good night’s sleep before the test.
Eat a balanced diet and drink water.
Maintain your momentum; keep confidence and energy level high.

Surround yourself with other motivated people.

Create or join a study group if this is helpful for you.
Avoid people gadgets (You know what these are.), and events which will distract you, interrupt concentration or cause you to lose focus.
Turn off your phone, e-mail and text messaging. They will be there when you finish your exams. This takes discipline. Ask your parents to monitor your calls for you.

Remember that academic goals comes first.

Set priorities.
Begin with a successful end in mind.
Mindset should be academics.
Reward yourself when exams are complete.
Work hard; be persistent; put in effort.

During exams

Use entire alloted time.
Review, check, and evaluate answers.
Use problem-solving strategies.
Concentrate solely on the exam at hand.

After Exams: Reflect, Evaluate, Analyze

Honestly evaluate performance.
Take notes to remember.
Note areas of difficulty; check to see how you can improve.
Review study strategies and plan.
Take note of effective strategies; note other strategjes that you want to try next time.
Revise ineffective plans.

Information for preparing exams adapted from the following source:

Blerkom, D.L. (2005). College Study Skills: Becoming a Strategic Learner, 5th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.

This is an excellent source. Please contact me if you would like more information about this book.

Study Groups: Two Heads are Better than One

pencilsharpener — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:26:01 +0000

College Board online has an informative article on the value of study groups. The article suggests how to select the group and set an agenda for the meetings in order to get things done—namely, study, for one! There are many reasons why study groups are effective for many of us.

Check out this article and see what you think. You may want to talk to others in your class to see if they would be interested in beginning a study group once school begins. Let me know what I can do to help.

Link to article:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/high-school/50432.html

It’s All Over But the Shouting!

pencilsharpener — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:45:10 +0000

I heard the shouting while standing on the sidewalk of one of the schools. Not only did I hear shouting, but also the honking of horns, celebratory remarks, laughter, peals of joy. What could I be hearing? I could not see a thing as my view was obscured by dense, leafy trees. Nevertheless shouts wafted across the distance. I knew the people on the other side of those trees were very happy.

My mind cleared as I glanced at a calendar. ”Last Day for Seniors” the memo I had scrawled for the day read. I smiled.

Mission accomplished. These young people were about to graduate in a few days. From the sounds, I knew they must be happy and that each of them must have a story to tell, a story about the four years they spent in high school. How excited they must be for bacculaureate, graduation….and on to better things. Some thought this day would never come; others wonder how it came so quickly.

How will you spend your four years of high school?

Just a little something to think about.

End of Semester Exams #3

pencilsharpener — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:18:18 +0000

5-Day Plan

Test Preparation

Day 5

1. Read textbook & class notes

2. Look at any handouts from your class

3. Highlight the information in your notes & handouts.

Day 4

1. Use strategies to remember and practice what you will need to know.

Repetition

Mind pictures

Categorization

Rhyme

Acronyms

Acronymic Sentence

Graphic Organizer

Day 3

1. Rewrite the information in a brief form.

2. Use memory strategies to review and to remember your notes.

3. Check confidence level. How well do you know this material?

Day 2

1. Continue to review material that you expect to be on the exam.

2. Think of questions your teacher might ask.

3. Write each question and answer.

Day 1 (The Day of the test!)

1. Review rewritten notes.

2. Review questions and answers.

3. You may want to bring a small, nutritious snack to eat during the break between tests.

4. Right before the test, review any information you find difficult.

5. Keep confidence high and energy level up.

Final Exam Study #2

pencilsharpener — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:51:35 +0000

Test Preparation Strategies

Make a Final Exam Study Plan

1. Create a list of tasks to complete.

2. Set up a schedule for study.

3. Pace your study time.

Review information often.

Monitor your learning.

Check and reinforce.

Set Up a Time to Study

1. Schedule time for study; use a planner.

Find what works best for you.

2. Let parents know about your plans.

Analyzing the Final Exam

1. Is the final exam comprehensive? What percentage of the exam has

been tested before?

2. Take notes on what your teacher says about the exam in class.

Ask questions.

Plan to Use Active Study Methods

1. You are in control of how you approach studying for exams.

2. Writing and recitation are useful techniques.

3. Test yourself frequently.

4. Review by making a new study guide.

5. Self-tests help you.

Next: A Five-Day Plan for Study

End of Semester Exams #1

pencilsharpener — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:47:20 +0000

Exams at the end of each semester are often difficult for some students, for others the exams are rewards for hard work, study, concentration and learning throughout the semester. The next few posts include tips for handling semester exams. Some of this information you may find helpful; other parts will not help you as much. You must be the judge of this. Try some of the tips; take note of tips you find most helpful. Feel free to create a few ways to prepare on your own.

I have posted only an abbreviated version of the tips. Contact me for further information.

Preparation

Manage your time efficiently.

Plan, create task list, complete assignments and reading; concentrate and work.

Make academics your top priority—think academically!

Continue to work, keep up, plan daily tasks, schedule study time; do not slow

down.

Setting Priorities for Exams

Check class standing.

Evaluate your grades & classes.

Consider all options.

Reducing Test Anxiety

More risk can create anxiety.

Effective study is the key to success.

Get sufficient sleep, eat healthy foods, and drink plenty of water.

Exercise and relax.

Next: Test Preparation Strategies